NBA Basketball 3d Briefing
×Injury Updates
Ja Morant espn.com will miss at least two more weeks as he continues to recover from a sprained ulnar collateral ligament in his left elbow. Meanwhile, Cooper Flagg espn.com was cleared to return after missing the past eight games because of a left midfoot sprain. Jayson Tatum espn.com's improbable return could change the NBA title race as he makes his way back to Boston after a devastating Achilles injury. VJ Edgecombe espn.com will miss Wednesday's game against Utah with a low back bruise suffered after a hard fall.
Legal & Contract Matters
A federal judge in New York issued a $1 million civil judgment espn.com against NBA free agent Malik Beasley in a contract dispute with his former agency. Chauncey Billups espn.com is facing legal issues that could potentially result in decades in prison after his connections to Mafia-affiliated poker games and illegal gambling came to light. Alexander Esteban Huaiquil Chavez, a member of a theft group that burglarized athlete homes espn.com, pleaded guilty to interstate transportation of stolen property.
Performance Analysis
Knicks coach Mike Brown praised SGA espn.com for being the best in the league at convincing referees he's getting fouled. With six weeks left until the playoffs, NBA Power Rankings espn.com highlight the most intriguing games remaining on the schedule. The Eastern Conference better than you think espn.com as ESPN analyst Zach Kram explores how the East's underrated strength could surprise in the postseason.
Player News
Victor Wembanyama espn.com reflected on his recent visit to Alaska to see the northern lights after the All-Star break. The Spurs star later expressed gratitude espn.com to the public for its help in finding a longtime friend who had disappeared after being dropped off at a Chicago airport. Lakers coach JJ Redick called sideline tiff espn.com with Luka Doncic over the weekend "very normal" and expressed confusion over why it went viral.
Draft & Contract Analysis
Nine big questions remain for top freshmen espn.com in the 2026 NBA draft class, including Cameron Boozer and Darryn Peterson. Could a roster built with only best contracts espn.com -- no max or rookie deals allowed -- reach the playoffs?